British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 1022

CHAPTER XXVI.

articles of office equipment, except office machines, was abolished on the same date. The limitation of prices of locally produced cardboard and common wrapping paper was abolished with effect from 6th February, 1945.

(d) Minor light industries.

104. In addition to the foregoing, the Control supervision covers a number of minor light industries. Some of these bad successfully gained a place on the local market prior to the outbreak of the war, but a number of others established themselves during the war years. The policy of the Control with regard to the latter was to assist them in their development in order to free the country from dependence on overseas sources.

105. Plastic material. The plastic industry in this country, with the exception of one factory set up in 1936, was established in the first war years. At present there are eight factories with a potential monthly output of about twenty _tons. Control was initiated in June, 1942, with the enactment of the Defence (Control of Plastic Material) Order". This Order subjected all transactions in, and manufacture of, plastic material to licences. The use of plastic material for all luxury articles (games, lipstick containers etc.,) and articles which could be produced from other materials available locally was prohibited. On the other hand. manufacturers were permitted to use plastic material for the production of essential goods (e.g., telephone receivers and electric accessories) and for the manufacture of household crockery, and containers for pharmaceutical purposes. In addition, the manufacture of a limited range of articles such as safety razors, heads of torches, pencil sharpeners, thimbles and screw covers for bottles was permitted. The manufacture of electrical appliances also made headway as regards the range of items produced and workmanship. The production of table-ware and drinking vessels as well as of spectacle frames and combs had to be discontinued in July, 1944, for lack of raw material. The manufacture of these articles was, however, resumed at the beginning of 1945.

106. Brush-making material. Military orders combined with import difficulties contributed to the firm establishment of this industry, which had been initiated on a small scale before the war. Brush-making was brought under control in January, 1943, by the publication of the Defence (Control of Brush-making Material) Order** which ensured that imported fibre, animal hair and bristles should be reserved for essential requirements and distributed fairly
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* Laws of 194-2, Vol. II, page 963 .
** Laws of 1943, Vol. II, page 56.

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